Meet in the middle.
There's always room for common ground.

Now that Harry had lots of time on his hands, Lara began to receive multiple texts throughout the day, whether she was at school, home or work.

And it seemed that being friends with Harry was proving to be a bit of an eye opener.
Some texts were random one liners.

I just saw a girl that looked like you. Almost said hello.

Some were inquisitive.

I’m bored. Where are you? What are you doing?

The following text took her by surprise.

We are all going out tonight! Private party at the Hub. Bring a friend and your dancing shoes.

Lara stared down at the message and then looked up to see James emerge from the kitchen and begin to clean the coffee machine.

“You still here?” He asked and she looked up at him with wide eyes.

“Do you want to go out tonight?” She blurted.

“Where?” He said shooting her a strange look.

“The Hub.”

“Um…”

“It won’t be just us. There will be a few people there… I think.” She said.

“Ben?” James asked, suddenly looking doubtful.

“No.” Lara said quickly. “Have you ever heard of Harry Styles?”

“That guy from One Direction?” James asked looking confused.

“Yep… it’ll be a private party. Free drinks and everything.” She said, unsure of the free drinks promise, but deciding to add it anyway.

“Wait a second- first tell me what Harry Styles has got to do with all of this before I agree to anything.” He sat down opposite Lara and looked at her expectantly.

X

Lara straightened her black skater dress as she stepped out of the taxi, relieved to see James waiting outside the club.

“I’m so glad you came.” Lara said.

“Well your story got me curious.” He said with a grin, “I still can’t believe you dated Harry.”

“Yeah well, believe it.” Lara drawled as she approached the people at the door. They located her name on their list and allowed them through the cordoned area before directing them upstairs. Lara grabbed him by the arm to lead him inside and James couldn’t help but regard her with a curious look. She had never struck him as being a forward girl, and he was still confused as to why he had been invited in the first place.

“Lara…” He began, suddenly finding it difficult to find the right words to say. “This isn’t like a proper date is it? I mean, we’re only friends right?”

Lara instantly dropped his arm. She had been so preoccupied about seeing Harry, that she had grabbed James’ arm without thinking in a bid to rush him inside. It didn’t help that she had also delved into Ben’s hidden vodka stash before arriving. Her inhibitions were down, and her anticipation was high.

“I’m sorry!” She said quickly, “I mean yes, I know it’s not a date and yes, we’re just friends... you’re free to do anything you want tonight. Don’t let me stop you.”

James seemed to visibly relax at Lara’s exclamation, and he took her hand.

“I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.” He said and she gave him a reassuring smile before they entered the venue.

They were instantly hit with the sound of loud music as they waded through the crowd of people.

For one panicked moment Lara wondered if the rest of One Direction were here and her heart began to beat quickly at the prospect. Niall she didn’t mind seeing. He had always been nice and welcoming and she had liked him a lot.

Zayn had pretty much ignored her existence until the very last time she had seen him when he had called her a ‘good girl’ for not smoking. She couldn’t help but smirk at the memory.

Liam had always been quiet around her; it seemed he didn’t have much time for Harry’s fake girlfriends, and so they had never really spoken properly. And then there was Louis.

Louis. The last time she had seen Louis, he had her backed up against a wall with no escape. She recalled how terrorised she had been, and she couldn’t help but swallow nervously.

“You did say free drinks didn’t you?” James suddenly asked and Lara shrugged as her eyes scanned the room. She couldn’t spot Harry anywhere, so when James offered to get her a drink, she nodded. A couple of drinks later she was starting to feel the effects of the alcohol take over her body, and she found herself slowly moving to the music. James couldn’t help but grin at her as he took a swig of his drink and watched her. She slowly began to sway her hips as she closed her eyes, her inhibitions melting away. Moments later she opened her eyes to see Harry leaning on the bar watching her intently. Two girls spoke to him, and she could see him nod although his gaze was solely fixed on her hips. She watched as he brought his glass to his lips, it seemed to hover there before he took a swig and she couldn’t help but smile at him.

James suddenly stepped forward and blocked her view of Harry, as he began to dance in front of her. Lara looked over his shoulder to see Harry excuse himself and stride toward her.

“Hiii.” He cried as he pulled her in for a hug. She could smell the scent of alcohol on his breath as he pulled away and settled his gaze on James.

“Harry, this is James.” Lara said. “James, this is Harry.”

“Hey.” James said with a warm smile. Harry took his outstretched hand and shook it.

“Hey.” He echoed and the glint in his eye disappeared for a moment. When she looked back at him, he was smiling again and she wondered if she had just imagined it. The conversation lagged and Harry’s eye seemed to wander away. James looked from Lara to Harry.

“Er, I might just go and have a look around” He said awkwardly.

“Go ahead.” She replied. Harry gave him a funny look as he walked away.

“Yeah I’ll take good care of her.” Harry called, letting his arm playfully wind around her neck in a headlock.

“Heyyy…” She protested and she could see him grin from the corner of her eye before loosening his grip on her.

“Do you guys want to be alone?” Lara heard an unfamiliar voice. She straightened herself to see a guy with red dyed hair watching them. The smile from Harry’s face disappeared when a tall girl also joined them. A now more serious Harry quickly introduced his friends.

“This is Michael and Samantha. Guys this is Lara.”

“Lara?” The girl repeated. She gave her the once over and Lara looked at her curiously. She was pretty enough to be a model, with her long legs and doll like face. Samantha looked from Lara to Harry as if she had suddenly realised the connection, before she closed her hand over Harry’s arm, clutching him close to her. Harry nervously shifted from one foot to
the other.

“So where’s James disappeared to?” He mumbled looking around.

“Who’s James?” Samantha asked.

“Lara’s boyfriend.” Harry replied, and Lara opened her mouth to correct him, but before she could speak, Michael suddenly interrupted.

“London is so fucking boring.” He moaned. “This place is dead. So freaking dead”

He lazily gestured around the club and Lara glanced around to see people drinking, dancing or laughing.

“I know. This place is so lame.” Samantha echoed. “Let’s just go.”

“It’s not that bad is it?” Harry said lightly.

“Yess… it is.” Michael continued dramatically.

Lara caught Harry’s eye and widened her eyes at him as if to say, these people are your friends? Harry merely smiled back and raised his eyebrows with a small shrug.

“Who do I need to fuck to get some coke around here?” Michael suddenly asked. Lara’s head snapped toward him with interest.

“Jed’s meant to come, but I can’t see him anywhere.” Samantha replied scanning the room.

James chose that moment to return holding out a cocktail to Lara for her to taste.

“They were doing this awesome cocktail demonstration over there.” He said before turning to the others with a smile.

“A cocktail demonstration?” Samantha asked unimpressed. James nodded cheerfully despite her obvious disinterest. She suddenly turned her attention to Lara and smiled at her sweetly.

“So how long have you two been a couple?” She asked.

“We’re not-“James began to say, when Samantha’s attention was suddenly drawn away from him.

“Jed’s here.” She slapped Michael on the arm and then flounced off with Michael following close behind.

“Who the fuck was that?” James asked looking at her retreating back.

“Er that was my girlfriend.” Harry said apologetically.

“Oh. Sorry.” James said looking embarrassed.

He soon excused himself to go to the bathroom and Harry took the opportunity to lean in
close to Lara’s ear.

“I didn’t think you were going to bring your boyfriend.” He said lowly. Her first instinct was to correct him, but she couldn’t help but feel slightly lightheaded by his close proximity.

“Boyfriend?”

“Well what do you expect me to think?” He took a step backward allowing Lara to breathe again.

“He’s my manager from work.”

“Ooh fraternising with employees is he?” He teased.

“Shut up.” Lara punched him in the shoulder and he doubled up in mock pain.

“Take it easy… no need for violence.”

“Yeah well you’re driving me crazy.” She said and he winked at her suggestively.

“Crazy how?” He asked leaning dangerously close to her.

“Just crazy.” She said lightly pushing him away. He stepped forward again, bumping into her tinier frame, and she held her hand up to his chest to stop him. He towered over her now and she looked up to see him arch an eyebrow.

“Well you’re feistier than you used to be.” He said and she found herself blushing at his words. He took her hands and laced them through his, as they stood face to face.

“So what’s up with your supermodel girlfriend?” Lara asked, trying not to wilt under his gaze.

“She’s just a friend.” He said with a smile, as their hands swayed to the music.

“That’s not what I just heard.” She said. “Didn’t you call her your girlfriend?”

“She’s a girl… she’s a friend.” He shrugged. “We’re friends.”

“Friends huh?” Lara nodded. “Oh well we all know what that means.”

Harry raised his eyebrows suggestively and licked his lips.

“Wanna be my friend?” He asked playfully.

“You have too many friends.” Lara said trying not to focus on his mouth. He was moving closer and she felt her heart rate increase, her body becoming warm with anticipation.

“You can be my special friend.” He persisted his lips just a breath away, and as intoxicating as he sounded, Lara found herself taking a step back. He in turn took a step forward and drunkenly stumbled into her. He chuckled to himself as held her arms to steady her, but Lara shook him off. It was obvious that he was drunk, and despite her inebriated state she knew she didn’t want to give in to his games. She had done it before and she had lived to regret it.

“I need to get some air.” She mumbled.

“What?” He leaned in to hear her above the music.

“I need to get some air.” She repeated as she elbowed him out of the way.

“I’ll come with you.” He surprised her by taking her arm, but she did not bother protesting when he steered her toward the exit, even though she had a burning desire to be left alone.

As they walked to the door, he stopped suddenly. She followed his gaze and saw that he had spotted James chatting up a girl in the corner. Harry looked to see her reaction, but she could only watch on blankly. Why is he looking at me like that? Lara thought to herself until it dawned on her that he thought James was her boyfriend.She opened her mouth to say something, but felt herself slide down to the floor.

Notes

" />Moments later she opened her eyes to see Harry leaning on the bar watching her intently. Two girls spoke to him, and she could see him nod although his gaze was solely fixed on her hips


Please comment and let me know how you think the story is going! :)